Men’s Basketball

Grizzlies men’s basketball team hopes to make a run towards the RMAC Tournament.

Antonie Griego

The men’s basketball team is 6-7 in the RMAC conference. With only nine games left in the season, they must make a run to secure a good spot in the tournament.

The Grizzlies have struggled all year with an overall record of 6-12, they must come into these last nine games with a winning mindset. Head coach Russ Caton knows what it’s like to be in this position especially coming from last year’s heartbreak in the RMAC tournament losing to Fort Lewis in the semifinals. So Adams State fans will have to wait and see what he has up his sleeve for the team this late in the season.  

 The Grizzlies must play together as a whole team to be successful, so that they can have a chance to get into the conference tournament. There will be adversity coming into these next games because of the difficulties the teams have faced in the past against Regis University, Fort Lewis University, and Westminster University.

Many of these teams are in the fight for the lead but it’s down to the best eight that will go on to play for the RMAC championship. The main goal for the Adams State Grizzlies is to make it to the RMAC tournament so they can compete for the trophy and have a chance to play in the NCAA Division II national tournament.

Adams State fans have speculated the boys’ future performance saying, “Anything is possible… if you go into every game giving it all you got.” It is important that every player does their part on the court. If one player has the best game of their career but does not help spread that energy, the team may not be able to secure wins.”

Fans believe that the Adams State men’s basketball team will overcome and conquer their decent record and be one of the eight teams chosen for the tournament. Isaiah Pierce, an ASU alumni and faculty member believes that the men’s team will rise to the challenge and work their way into the conference tournament. He says that “they have a good change of making the tournament and will make a run as the underdog by buckling down and playing for something.” He also goes on to say, “The boys will have a struggle against Fort Lewis because of the bad blood during last season and this season especially, being the last game of the season in Durango, Colorado.” This game could or could not be the deciding factor for the tournament, but it will be a good match up for both teams and their pasts with each other.

Adams State alumni, students, and faculty all have faith that the men’s basketball team will be one of the eight teams chosen for the tournament less than a month from now, even if that means five out of the nine games are on the road in closing out the regular season. The men’s team knows that Grizzly pride will be with them in person or online.

The men’s team has time to create their own destiny with nine games and less than a month. It should be nine exciting and competitive games to watch to end the 2018-2019 regular season to see if the Grizzlies can make it to the RMAC conference tournament.